Verbena plant named &#39;Duplena&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant particularly distinguished by its lilac flowers, early flowering, and a spreading habit that is first semi-erect and later spreading.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0001] ‘Duplena’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

[0002] The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Verbena, botanically known as Verbena×hybrida.

[0003] The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of ‘X816-1’ and ‘X-816-2’. ‘X816-1’ is a violet flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. ‘X816-1’ is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. ‘X816-2’ is a pink flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. ‘X816-2’ is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither ‘X816-1’ nor ‘X816-2’ has been patented.

[0004] As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 1998 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, France over a three-year period. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations, and this novelty appears to be firmly fixed.

[0005] This new Verbena plant is an annual in most climatical zones in the US, only in zones 9 and 10 it is a perennial plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0006] This new Verbena plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color, the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

[0007] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of this new Verbena. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 14 weeks old plants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse.

[0008] Color readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Color references are primarily to the RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London. Differences between the new cultivar ‘Duplena,’ its parents and a similar cultivar ‘Duplena’ ‘X816-1’ ‘X816-2’ ‘Temari liac’ Flower color Light lilac Violet Pink Deep lilac Earliness Early Very early Late Late Internode length Short Short Long Very long Plant size Medium Compact Big Big Seed set No No Much Abundant

[0009] The plant:

[0010]Classification.—Botanical: Verbena×hybrida.

[0011]Parentage.—Female parent: A seedling named ‘X816-1’ is one of our seedlings from our Z-generation of plants bred in 1996. — Pollen parent: A seedling named ‘X816-2’ is one of our seedlings from our Z-generation of plants bred in 1996.

[0012]Growth habit.—Spreading.

[0013]Plant height.—14-20 cm.

[0014]Speading area of plant.—35-65 cm.

[0015]Growth rate.—Hanging and vigorous.

[0016]Strength.—Resistant to hot and cold weather.

[0017]Branching character.—Freely branching and lateral branching at every node.

[0018]Blooming period.—From April until November.

[0019] The stem:

[0020]Diameter.—2.5-3 mm.

[0021]Shape.—Tetragonal.

[0022]Color.—Deep green 137D.

[0023]Anthocyan pigmentation.—Present.

[0024]Length of internode.—20-40 mm, depending on the light where the plant is propagated.

[0025]Pubescence.—Pubescence is present.

[0026] The foliage:

[0027]Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.

[0028]Shape of blade.—Broadly ovate.

[0029]Texture.—Upper side: Pubescent — Lower side: Pubescent.

[0030]Venation.—Pinnate.

[0031]Leaf margin.—Simple incised.

[0032]Leaf base.—Shortly attenuate.

[0033]Leaf apex.—Acute.

[0034]Length.—25-40 mm.

[0035]Width.—18-30 mm.

[0036]Depth of incision.—2-4 mm.

[0037]Color.—Upper side: Dark green 137C — Lower side: Light green 138A.

[0038]Pubescence.—Some pubescence is present.

[0039]Length of leaf stem.—5-12 mm.

[0040]Petiole surface structure.—Slightly pubescent.

[0041] The bud:

[0042]Peduncle length.—30-60 mm, depending on season.

[0043]Size of the bud.—Length: 8-12 mm — Diameter: 2 mm.

[0044]Shape.—Elongated and ovate.

[0045]Color.—Medium green 137D.

[0046]Sepals.—Color: Light green 138B — Form: Upright — Number: 5, fused — Size: 5 mm — Shape: Elongated.

[0047] The flower:

[0048]Facing direction.—Upward.

[0049]Outward curvature of petal.—Slightly curved.

[0050]Diameter.—18-24 mm.

[0051]Height.—16-18 mm.

[0052]Borne.—In a cluster.

[0053]Form.—Salverform; sessile on terminal spikes.

[0054]Cluster.—Spike.

[0055]Color.—Lilac N81A.

[0056]Eye.—A very small (1 mm) whitish Eye (155C) is present. Typically three out of the five petals exhibit this whitish coloration.

[0057]Overlapping of the petals.—Separate.

[0058]Number of petals.—Gamopetalous, five lobed.

[0059]Shape of the petals.—Each petal is heart shaped at the apex and grown togheter at the base.

[0060]Petal margin.—Entire.

[0061]Petal surface texture.—Smooth.

[0062]Size of the petal.—Length: 6-8 mm — Width: 6-8 mm.

[0063]Calyx length.—8-10 mm.

[0064]Antocyan pigmentation of calyx limb.—Absent.

[0065]Color of the calyx.—Dark green 137A.

[0066]No. of flowers per spike.—20-25.

[0067]Fragrance.—A very light rosy fragrance occurs.

[0068]Lastingness of the bloom.—New florets continue to open in one spike over a period of 14 days.

[0069] The reproductive organs:

[0070]Androecium.—Stamen quantity: Four — Anther shape: Ovoid — Anther length: 1 mm — Anther color: 144D — Amount of pollen: Scarce pollen — Pollen color: 145D.

[0071]Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity: 1 — Stigma shape: Bi-lobed — Pistil length: 1.8-2.2 mm — Stigma color: 144C — Style length: 1.4-1.8 cm — Style color: 144D — Ovary color: 144C.

[0072] The seed:

[0073]Seedset.—No seedset has been observed.

[0074] The roots:

[0075]Type of roots.—Fibrous. Roots starts to grown on every part of the stem That contacts the soil, so not only at the nodes.

[0076] Physiological and ecological characteristics: Good tolerance to heat and cold. Strong resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Duplena,’ as illustrated and described. 